FINGERPRINTS February—March 2016

SupportingSupporting parentsparents throughthrough thethe earlyearly yearsyears becausebecause greatgreat parentsparents growgrow greatgreat childrenchildren..

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Only 1 minute from Huka Falls

415 Huka Falls Road

Ever imagine having a coffee in peace?

Even when it’s raining.

Real helicopter filled with toys

Children’s Bike Track

Equals a coffee in peace!

Book your coffee group today and get 10% off!

07 374 8153

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Fingerprints Enquiries

E: fingerprintsmagazine@xtra.co.nz

Taupo Parents Centre AC Baths Avenue, PO Box 1009, TAUPO 3351

p: 07 378 4995 e: taupo@parentscentre.org.nz www.parentscentre.org.nz/taupo

Disclaimer – Opinions and articles in this magazine do not necessarily reflect Parents Centres NZ policy. Advertising in this magazine

does not imply endorsement by Parents Centres NZ Inc. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those held by Taupo

Parents Centre Inc. While every effort is made to be accurate, we cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Original items in

this magazine may generally be reproduced, provided their source is acknowledged. Taupo Parents Centre publishes this magazine six

times per year.

Our Mission Statement

Positive birth experiences and informed parenting in a community where parents are supported and

highly valued in their role.

Front Cover Photo By Naomi Keane

Inside this issue: Cuties and Cheekies 4

Committee Report 5

Notice Board 5

Car Seat Safety Ideas 6

Is Your Diet Keeping Your Baby Awake?

12

Parenting With Love 15

Parenting Classes 24

When Valentine’s Day is Baby Date Night

28

What’s On in Taupo Region 30

Family Activities in Taupo Area 31

TPC Calendar 32

Members Discounts 34

Membership 35

For Sale 37

Support Groups 36

Committee Contacts 38

Editors Words...

I always love summer time. Lying on the sand by the lake, watching kids playing in the water, feeling hokey pokey ice cream melting in the mouth...this is the most amazing season of the year! I hope all of you have enjoyed the summer holiday.

This summer issue comes to you along with good news—Taupo Parents Centre Car Seat Clinic opens on Friday 5th February! It provides car seat checking and hiring service to Taupo community and its visitors. In this issue, there are some car seat ideas for you to check out.

In the article retrieved from best-seller Picky Mckay’s Blog, you will read about how breast-feeding mother’s diet may affect the baby.

Don’t’ miss the interesting idea of spending Valentine’s Day with kids. It may not be as bad as we thought before.

We are all nourishing our kids with love, but parenting with love is actually a philosophy that we could learn more about it.

If you are too busy to plan what to make for Easter, check out our last minutes Easter ideas, they will definitely bring you load of fun.

Enjoy the rest of your summer time!

Rain

4

Photos supplied by:

Cindy Chen,

Gemma Tamang,

Rebecca Attenborough, Trani

Dufty, Emma Finnegan and Merenea

Hurae.

5

Thank you to Pita Pit for your generous Thank you to Pita Pit for your generous

donation and 100% Lake Taupo Charitable donation and 100% Lake Taupo Charitable

Trust for your grant to allow us to provide car Trust for your grant to allow us to provide car

seat service to the Taupo community and its seat service to the Taupo community and its

visitors.visitors.

Committee Report...

H appy New Year to everyone!

Well, what a heat wave of summertime weather we are having presently. It is the ultimate time to remind us all to slip, slop and slap ourselves and our children to protect against sunburn. Also to cover up and drink lots of water to avoid sun stroke.

Come and join us for a day of bargains at our Car Boot Sale on 13th February from 8am - 12pm. To be held at the Parents Centre rooms carpark, Hickling Park. It will be a load of fun.

The upcoming toilet learning seminar on 25th February 11.30am - 1pm will be exciting to attend to gain lots of tips and useful practical information to use a this milestone time for our toddlers. Lets join each other for encouragement and support.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their holiday season and we are all back safely and we look forward to catching up and seeing you all in the next couple of months.

Simone

We are on the look out for a new Treasurer. Approximately 15hrs a month, we use Xero so you can do it from any computer anywhere. Some experience with accounts/book keeping preferred, you get to hang out with an awesome bunch of parents, meetings are the second Thursday of the month at 7pm with a 7:15pm start. Email us if your interested in a new challenge for 2016 taupo@parentscentre.org.nz.

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Car Seat Car Seat Car Seat Safety Safety Safety Ideas Ideas Ideas

that might surprise the most seasoned parentsthat might surprise the most seasoned parentsthat might surprise the most seasoned parents

D id you know that car accidents

are a leading cause of prevent-

able death for children between the

ages of 1 and 13? That's a fact.

But we can keep our kids safer by

installing and correctly using car and

booster seats. And before you roll

your eyes and say, “Yeah yeah. Been

there, done that," you need to hear

what pediatrician Dr. Alisa Baer, also

known as The Car Seat Lady, has to

say:

“Studies show that even for parents

who are on their fourth kid, car seat

installation is one of the few things

that people tend not to get better

at."

This can truly be a matter of life and

death, so buckle up — metaphori-

cally, of course — and take a few

minutes to read about these ten ex-

tremely important tips from Baer.

1 Keep the car seat straps snug.

“Most kids are riding around

with straps that are too loose," Baer

says. Properly secured snug straps,

despite protests from some kids,

don't cause pain. “If you're going to

jump out of an airplane with a para-

chute, you're not going to think, 'Oh,

it's snug! Let me loosen it!'" she ex-

plains.

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Think of the car seat straps the same

way. If you need guidance on how to

ensure the straps are snug, check out

this video. Also be sure to remove

any bulky clothing. Things like winter

coats usually make it necessary to

loosen straps — which in turn makes

them far less effective.

2 Keep kids rear-facing for as

long as possible.

Once your child outgrows an infant

car seat — which is always rear-

facing — they'll move into a converti-

ble car seat. Those can be used either

in a rear- or forward-facing position.

But “can" and “should" are two dif-

ferent things. Baer says you should

always keep your child rear-facing

until age 2 — and ideally longer, until

they reach the rear-facing limits of

the car seat. That shouldn't happen

until your kiddo is at least 2 years old,

but even then, if they're below the

maximums for the car seat, don't flip

them around!

A common misconception among

parents is that there's a greater risk

for leg injuries in the event of a crash

in rear-facing car seats because it

appears as though a child's legs are

scrunched up. Baer assured me that

kids are actually at a greater risk for

leg injuries when they're forward-

facing because in an accident, their

feet make contact with the seat in

front of them, which is simultane-

ously moving backward. The result is

a compression injury, something that

doesn't happen when the child is rear

-facing.

“The leg injuries we see when a child

is rear-facing are usually due to a

direct impact from the intruding vehi-

cle. At that point, it doesn't matter

which way your child is facing," says

Baer.

3 When your child becomes too

big to rear-face, keep them as

safe as possible when forward-

facing.

“The goal now that we've turned

your child forward, which makes

their brain and spine less safe than

when they were rear-facing," says

Baer, “is to keep them as safe as we

can." You can accomplish that by us-

ing the tether strap that comes on

every single forward-facing car seat

sold in the U.S. The tether secures to

a top tether anchor point in your ve-

hicle. This is where you'll need to

break out that vehicle owner's man-

ual to find where they're located.

Since 2000, all vehicles sold in the

U.S. are required to have anchors

where you can secure the tethers in

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at least three seating positions. Got a

minivan or SUV? Most of these vehi-

cles do NOT have tether anchors in

all the rear seats. Find the tether an-

chors and always use them for for-

ward-facing car seats.

“Forward-facing protection is greatly

enhanced by the tether," Baer ex-

plains. “It decreases how far the

child's head moves in a crash by at

least four to six inches. When you

factor in that most seats are too

loose, that can mean a difference of

12 inches or more." Because you only

want your child's head to hit air in a

crash and not the seat in front of

them, the tethers on forward-facing

car seats are vital.

LATCH can be confusing. It stands for

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Chil-

dren. LATCH is comprised of both

parts on the car seat and parts in the

vehicle, Baer explains. If your vehicle

is 2003 or newer, it’s better to have

at least two seating positions with

lower anchors and at least three posi-

tions with tether anchors. The lower

anchors are meant to replace the use

of the vehicle's seat belt. Most car

seats (not booster seats, but actual

car seats that have a five-point har-

ness system) can be secured to the

lower anchors in vehicles by using

the LATCH belt on the child's car seat.

Baer emphasized that no matter how

you install the forward-facing car seat

— whether with a seat belt or the

lower anchors — you should always

use the tether. “If you're forward-

facing seat is installed with the seat

belt, use the tether in addition to the

seat belt," she said. “If your forward-

facing seat is installed with lower

anchors, use the tether in addition to

the lower anchors."

So, one more time, because it's that

important: Always use the tether on

every forward-facing car seat!

4 Don't start using a booster seat

too soon — and don't stop us-

ing a booster seat too soon.

For a child to safely use a booster

seat, they must be at least 4 years

old, weigh 40 pounds, and be mature

enough to sit properly in the booster

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— “no slouching, no leaning over,

and no playing with the seat belt."

Because of that, Baer says that most

kids are generally around 6 years old

before they're ready for a booster

seat.

When it comes to letting kids dump

their booster seats, Baer notes that

many parents are doing it too soon.

“The goal of a

booster is to keep

the belt property

positioned on a

child's body, specifi-

cally so the lap belt

stays in position on

the child's lower

hips during a

crash."

Baer says that

there's a pattern of

injuries resulting

from children being

in accidents while

not in booster seats that, while not

always fatal, are life altering — things

like lower spinal cord injuries result-

ing in paralysis and bladder and

bowel injuries.

The way to prevent those? Keep your

kiddo in a booster until the seat belt

fits exactly the same without the

booster as it does with it. (Check out

the five-step test for guidance.) Most

kids are 10 to 12 years old before

they can ride safely without a

booster.

5 Make sure everyone in the car is

buckled up.

Besides keeping all of your adult pas-

sengers alive, ensuring everyone in

the vehicle is wear-

ing a seat belt means

they can't become

human torpedoes in

the event of an acci-

dent. “Studies show

that if an adult rides

in the back without a

buckle, the other

people in the car are

up to three times

more likely to die in

the same crash be-

cause the unbuckled

adult is now a hu-

man missile," says

Baer.

That sounds rather gruesome — and

that's because it is. If a car seat is

covering a seat belt buckle, for exam-

ple, reinstall the car seat so that the

buckle is available for the adult. It's

about everyone's safety.

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6 After you install your child's car

seat, have it checked by a

trained technician.

While many people think they can

swing by a fire or police department

to accomplish this, “not even 50% of

them have someone trained" to do

that, Baer says.

Instead, go to seatcheck.org, where

you can enter your zip code to find a

trained technician near you.

7 Remember that the center seat

is generally the safest spot in

the car for kids.

Children in the center seat won't take

a direct hit in an accident, and there's

less to hit their head on when they're

in a forward-facing car seat. If you

have more than one child, remember

that your oldest is typically the least

protected. “A newborn, for example,

is more protected because they're

rear-facing," Baer explains. The mid-

dle seat often doesn't have the lower

anchors, which means you'll need to

use the seat belt to secure the car

seat (or if your child is in a booster,

they'll be using the belt anyway). And

remember: If your kiddo is in a for-

ward-facing car seat, use the tether!

8 Don't text or talk on the phone

while driving.

“We're not going to make a dent in

fatalities until we decrease distracted

driving," Baer notes. “We have an

obligation to make sure not only our

children, but everyone else's children

are safe on the road."

9 Car seats expire!

It's not that the car seat industry

is out to get your hard-earned cash,

Baer says, but rather that "car seats

are made of plastic, and plastic is a

material that gets brittle with age.

You need a seat to be strong enough

to withstand an crash." Different car

seats have different expiration dates,

although they typically last six to

eight years. Be sure you know when

yours needs replacing — particularly

if you're using it with more than one

child.

Speaking of which, be sure to put a

lot of thought into borrowed or hand

-me-down car seats. You should

never buy a used car seat online. If

you're going to share with friends or

use it for more than one child, infant

seats that are in good condition are

better candidates for sharing than

convertible car seats or boosters,

which are used for longer and gener-

ally experience more wear and tear.

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COSTS Capsule 6 month hire $60 plus $50 bond

Capsule short term hire $50 max one month plus $50 bond

Toddler seat 12 months $100 plus $50 bond

Toddler seat short term hire $50 plus $50 bond

Booster seat short term $30 plus $50 bond.

1 0 If you've been in an acci-

dent, there's a good chance

that your car seat needs replacing.

This holds true regardless of whether

your child was in the car seat when

the accident occurred because even

an empty seat still absorbs some of

the force of the crash. Baer says most

manufacturers advise that the car

seat requires replacement no matter

the severity of the crash, but some

seats have a “minor crash protocol."

You can check her website to learn

more.

The top three most common mis-

takes Baer sees are car seats that are

too loose in the car, kids that are too

loose in the car seats, and children

who are graduated too soon (from

rear-facing to forward facing or car

seat to booster, for example). With

some effort and care, we can all

avoid those mistakes and more. It's a

lot of info to absorb, but we're talk-

ing about our kids' lives.

Via:

http://www.upworthy.com/10-car-

seat-safety-tips-from-an-expert-some

-of-these-might-surprise-the-most-

seasoned-parent

Taupo Parents Centre Car Seat Clinic opens on

Friday 5th February! It will be open Mondays and Fridays 11am-2pm help with installation of any seat,

checking of any seat, and hire of capsules, toddler seats and boosters. If wanting to

hire please PM the Taupo Car Seat Service Facebook Page to ensure we have the

stock you need: https://www.facebook.com/Taupocarseatservice/

NOTE

Bond is returned to you a couple of weeks after you have returned your seat due to processing

times. If you cannot make these times one of our technicians will arrange a time but a convenience

fee of $40 extra will be charged. Payment by cash or bank transfer prior to pick up.

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Is Your Diet Keeping Your Baby Awake?

By Pinky McKay

C ould YOUR diet be contributing to sleepless nights for your baby

(and you)? The chances are, if you or your partner suffer from allergies such as eczema, asthma or hay fever, or if there is a family history of allergies, there is a stronger possibility that your baby’s restlessness and poor sleep could be due to food sensitivity or allergies – and he could be reacting to foods passing through your breast milk (your baby is never allergic to your milk). Food allergies in exclusively breastfed babies are caused by foods that pass into your breast milk, not to your breast-milk itself. Allergies in infants

may cause symptoms including: colic, nausea, vomiting and reflux, wheezing and respiratory congestion, dermatitis, eczema, and various rashes (although other medical causes should be ruled out for these symptoms). Because babies may be sensitised to foods in utero, it is wise to avoid non-essential foods that are common allergens and eat others in moderation during pregnancy and for the first year after birth if you are breastfeeding. The most common culprit is cow’s milk protein (found in milk, cheese, yoghurt). In one study at a UK sleep clinic, 12 per cent of thirteen-month-old infants who presented with

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persistent night-waking for which no other causes were found, were taken off all milk products when cow’s milk intolerance was suspected. In most of these children, sleep normalised within five weeks, with night-time awakenings falling to nil or once per night .A subsequent milk challenge (double blind) induced the reappearance of insomnia and, after a year, when the challenge was repeated, all but one child reacted as before. Other foods that may cause allergies are peanuts, eggs, soya products, fish, wheat, citrus and chocolate. However, reactions to foods seem to vary widely among individuals. Some sensitive babies react even to small amounts of certain foods in their mothers’ diets, so allergy symptoms (including frequent night waking), can be alleviated by the elimination of offending foods from the mother’s diet. The best way to protect your baby from allergies is to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. If you are bottle-feeding and suspect allergies to cow’s milk, consult your doctor. about trying a hypoallergenic formula (these are available on prescription). Food additives are present in ever-increasing numbers in almost all processed foods and these can dramatically affect sleep patterns and

behaviour. Some babies and children can also become restless after eating foods containing salicylates. These are naturally occurring chemicals which are found in otherwise healthy foods such as broccoli, grapes, apples, oranges and tomatoes as well as in some processed foods. I have seen remarkable changes in babies sleep patterns with simple tweaks to either mum or baby’s diets. For instance, a very unsettled 4 week old baby whose mother cut out orange juice, became calm and slept soundly within 48 hours! An eight month old who loved broccoli but was waking up to ten times a night settled and woke at around 10 pm and at 5 am (but resettled after a breastfeed), when broccoli was eliminated. Other babies have slept well after the elimination of grapes and berries (also high salicylate foods) from their own and mum’s diets. Tracking down offending foods in your child’s or your own diet may take some effort, especially for already exhausted parents, but in the long run it could gain you more sleep. If you think that sleeplessness may be related to foods in your diet passing through your breast-milk, keep a notepad handy and jot down your baby’s crying times and what you eat to see if they are linked. If there appears to be a ‘cause and effect’ between foods in your diet and your baby’s crying, an

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inexpensive and simple solution is to eliminate the suspect food for at least a week, preferably two weeks. If your baby’s sleep patterns improve, you can either be thankful and avoid the suspect food, or you can reintroduce a small amount of the food into your diet – if the night-waking or allergy symptoms re-occur, you can be pretty certain you have ‘nailed’ the culprit. Elimination of foods may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to make a difference to your baby’s behaviour so allergies are difficult to prove or disprove, but if it calms your baby (and you), modifying your diet is a small sacrifice. Sometimes, sleep will be elusive without major dietary changes but in other cases it will just be a matter of balance, perhaps taking care not to

overload on certain foods that seem to affect your child. A good guide to sensible eating is to include a wide variety of foods in as close to their natural state as possible. This means that eating fresh vegetables, whole grains, fish, meats and free-range eggs, and drinking plain milk or water instead of filling your supermarket trolley with frozen chicken nuggets, snack bars, coloured yoghurts and juice boxes, could see you and your little ones all sleeping more soundly. If you find the thought of changing your diet overwhelming, seek help from an appropriate professional such as a dietician. Via: http://www.pinkymckay.com/is-your-diet-keeping-your-baby-awake/

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W e are living in very exciting

times with regard to

childrearing. For the first time in

history we now have ways to study

children’s behaviour and understand

how they think and what they feel.

We are learning how much they are

able to understand at various stages

in their development, and how we

can communicate with them in ways

they will understand us. We are also

learning how to “decode” what they

are trying to tell us about their needs,

before they are able to adequately

express their feelings in words –

Daughter Piggy-backingsomething

that normally doesn’t happen until

they are well past toddlerhood.

Babies are conscious long before they

are born, and they are already

learning about their mother and the

world they are coming into when

they are still in the uterus. We are

discovering increasingly more about

what they experience before birth,

how they feel during birth, and what

kind of birth and babyhood

empowers them to become winners

in life. Most importantly, we are

learning that children are inherently

good, and grow up wanting to please

us and that it is only if they are

traumatised or the loving connection

between us is broken that things go

wrong. The good news is that when

things don’t go the way we would

like them to, there are ways we can

help babies and children heal from

trauma and to restore the loving

connection between parent and

PPPaaarrrenenenttting ing ing WWWith ith ith LLLoveoveove

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child.

PARENTING THROUGH THE AGES

In his book, Parenting for a Peaceful

World, Robin Grille outlines the

various parenting “modes” that we

have gone through as human beings.

We have left far behind the times

when children were sacrificed to the

gods, sold into slavery, sent to the

workhouse, or expected to behave

like miniature adults. At the moment

much of childrearing in the

developed world falls into what is

called the “Socialising Mode”, though

increasingly, as we come to

understand more about what helps

children reach their full potential, we

are moving beyond that into what is

known as the “Helping Mode”.

In the Socialising Mode, which began

during the last century, it was finally

understood that children don’t think

and feel like adults and that they

need our help and understanding in

the early years. But the emphasis in

this mode is to teach them and

prepare them for life by shaping

them so that they will “fit in”.

Children are punished for “bad”

behaviour and praised for “desired”

behaviour. Techniques used include

rewards, punishments, threats,

bribes, manipulation, etc. and the

idea is to control children and mould

them into what we want them to be.

Spanking is now questioned, but

“time-outs”, “consequences” and

other punitive methods are still used

to get the desired behaviour.

Attempts to understand the

underlying feelings and unmet needs

that drive behaviour are not yet

understood in the Socialising Mode.

“It is not our job to shape children,

but to nurture who they already are.”

~ Naomi Aldort

THE PARENTING OF THE FUTURE

Happy holding hands In the Helping

Mode we go one step further. We

come to understand that from birth,

babies will tell us what they need if

we are listening. As they grow, rather

than pushing them to achieve, we

can place children in an enriched

environment and allow them to

engage in creative play, which greatly

enhances their intelligence. We play

with them, but only if invited to, and

when things need to get done, we

offer choices, and help to make it

fun. While firm boundaries are

needed to help children feel secure,

we come to understand that children

are innately good, so when they

17

misbehave, it doesn’t mean that they

are bad or in need of correction, but

that they don’t understand what we

want from them, or have been hurt

or upset by something and don’t

know how to tell us. Of course

unacceptable behaviour is not

allowed, but if we say, “No”, and set

a limit, we help the child by listening

to their feelings (including crying and

tantrumming) about their

disappointment that they can’t do

what they want to, and

empathetically reflect back to them

that we have heard them and

understand how they feel.

So instead of giving them a “talking

to”, when they are upset we make a

safe place for them to get their

feelings out (through tantrums,

crying or expressing anger and hurt

feelings) and we “listen”. Children are

greatly relieved to find that we are

interested not just in their behaviour,

but in the underlying hurt feelings,

frustrations or unmet needs that they

are trying to express through their

behaviour. It keeps the parent-child

connection strong and healthy, and

children raised this way are usually

well-behaved and eager to please

their parents.

TOMORROW’S CHILDREN

Because they are not controlled by

rewards and punishments, children

raised in the Helping Mode are more

likely to follow their instincts and

discover where their real interests

and talents lie. This leads to happy,

self-actualised people who feel

fulfilled and can express their

individuality when they grow up,

offering their unique contribution to

the world and making it a better

place for everyone.

Via:

http://www.parenting-with-

love.com/philosophy/

18

Ingredients

6 Boiled Eggs

1/4 cup Mayonnaise

1 tbsp Sweet Pickle Relish

2 tsp Mustard

Salt and pepper, for taste

1 Mini Carrot

1 Sweet Midget Pickle or you can also use a few pieces of relish.

Instructions

Cut small slice off bottom off egg to flatten it so it will stand.

Cut zig zag pattern around middle of egg to look like it cracked open.

Remove yolks and place in a bowl.

Cut carrot so that you end up with 6 small triangles to use as beaks.

Cut strip off of pickle and then make 12 small squares to use as eyes.

Mash yolks with a fork and stir in mayonnaise, pickle relish, and mustard.

Salt and pepper, to taste.

Mix until consistency is smooth and creamy.

Transfer mixture to zippered bag and clip corner for piping.

Pipe mixture into cooked egg whites piping until over full to resemble a chick head sticking out.

Place beaks and eyes in place.

Top each with the bottom with its top half.

You can optionally shred lettuce to resemble grass to display them.

LAST MINUTE EASTER IDEA

If you are thinking out your Easter Dinner Menu, definitly consider making these lil

chicks. They are so simple and quick. Oh… they have the WOW factor too!

Via:cincyshopper.com/easter-chicks-deviled-eggs/

Easter Chicks Deviled Eggs

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20

21

22

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LAST MINUTE EASTER IDEA

★First take a large orange paper napkin and unfold it so it forms a rectangle like this

★ Then put your green plastic utinsels in the left hand corner, fold the right corner into the center as shown

★Then begin to roll the napkin around the utinsels, pulling it tight as you go- and roll until your napkin is all the way around them in the shape of a carrot.

★Take two green pipe cleaners- you can use a dark & light one or use a dark one and a glittery one to add a little "bling". You can tie them with whatever you have, ribbon, raffia. You can even use the green star garland. They will be darling no matter what you use. Cut the pipe cleaners so it looks like the green stuff on carrots!

And look what you have-- they are darling in a glass container or in a basket.. simple & fun. The kids will love them.

After knowing how to make this cute carrot napkins, you may going to make them for your Easter dinner ever since because they are really easy and interesting!so let's get started. Via: http://theyarecrafty.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Easter

Carrot Napkins

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An essential course for parents of babies 0-3 months. This is a friendly, informal course of five sessions taught by professionals who cover:

◆Feeding and Settling

◆Childbirth Experiences, Pelvic

Floors

◆Healthcare

◆First and Baby Development

◆All About You Time Tuesday mornings 10-12 Course Fee As of 15th July 2014 this course will now be FREE thanks to funding from Lakes DHB! Next Courses start: 12th Jan & 23 Feb 2016 Tuesdays 10am-12 noon Great for meeting other mums!

Baby and You FREE course to help you and your partner prepare for having a baby; led by qualified childbirth educators The childbirth education course covers:

◆ Nutrition and exercise during pregnancy

◆Labour signs and stages

◆ Pain relief options and interventions

◆The birth process and birth video

◆ Informed decision making on vitamin K and immunisations

◆Breastfeeding and newborn care

◆Postnatal depression

◆Talking to new parents in a social, relaxed setting about their experiences Not just for first time parents. A great opportunity to meet other new parents. Support persons welcomed. 7 weeks in the evening from 7-9pm, as well as weekend courses. . See our calendar overleaf for course dates.

Childbirth Education

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A fun and informative course taught

by professionals for parents of

babies 4-9 months old.

◆1st Session: Infant Development/

Movement

◆2nd Session: Nutrition

◆3rd Session: Exercises and Dental

Health

◆4th Session: Infant Massage and

Toy Making

Time

Three sessions on Wednesday

mornings 10-12am

Course Fee

$5 members, $20 non-members

Recipe book by Alison & Simon Holst

available for purchase $10

Next course start: 11th Feb 2016 .

Wednesdays 10am-12 noon.

Moving, Munching

Toys & Toning

A fantastic course for parents of chil-dren 10-18 months of age. The three sessions taught over two Saturday's by professionals cover:

◆Nutrition

◆Safety

◆Communication

◆Development

◆Sleeping habits

◆Behaviour

◆Preschool options

and lots more… Course Fee $5 members, $20 non-members Our next course starts in March 2016

Tinies to Tots

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Maori Pregnancy, Birth and Early Parenting.

The next one day course takes place on Saturday 27th Feburay, 2016. Text Charlotte on 021 1875591 for further information and/or to book a place. Te Puawaitanga Kohanga Reo.

We also run a number of one-off seminars on separate topics such as toilet training, food allergies, First Aid, budgeting, behaviour etc. If you are interested in these or have a particular topic in mind, please contact us

Music and

Movement

Rangiaatea

Waaenanga

Hot Topics

Introduce your children to the enjoyment of movement and music! A fun interactive session to provide children with a creative outlet for energy and emotion. Time 10-12am Monday during school term ◆10:00am Movement to Music session. ◆10:30am Morning tea for the children and a well deserved cuppa for the parents and caregivers. Please bring some morning tea for your child ◆10:45am Play time - join the fun in our sand pit and play with our outside toys Course Fee: First session is FREE!!! Then it is $2 for members or $3 for non-members.

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Coffee Group

A NEW coffee group is going to start

in Term 1 2016 at Taupo parents

centre Rooms during school terms. It

is another great way to meet other

parents, expectant mums and some

play time for your little ones. More

details will be released on Taupo

Parents Centre Facebook page.

For details of course content please visit out website at

www.parentscentre.org.nz/taupo

Alternatively for more information and bookings please contact: 378

4995 and leave a message or email us at taupo@parentscentre.org.nz

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Melissa Willets is a mom of three girls, one of whom is a newborn.

She writes about pregnancy, parenting, home, health, and beauty.

She loves running and drinking red wine - but never simultaneously.

This time Melissa would like to share her idea of spending

Valentine's day along with her kids--that was yet not a bad idea at

all! Read more at:http://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/baby/when-

valentine-s-day-is-baby-date-night.aspx

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F or the past five years, Valentine's

Day has been me, my husband,

and at least one of our kiddos

hanging out at home. Hey, don't feel

sorry for me — baby date night can

actually be a lot of fun! You don't

have to get all dressed up, make a

reservation, fight other parents for a

babysitter, or fish through your closet

for those red high heels you haven't

worn since you were single. But, the

key is to still make the evening

special. Just because you may have to

stop mid-dessert to change a diaper

doesn't mean Valentine's Day has to

be a disappointment. Here are three

tried-and-true tips for making date

night with baby special.

Plan ahead. Our first Valentine's Day

as parents, my husband and I failed

to make plans. We ended up eating

something random from our fridge

and zoning out in front of the

television with a baby between us —

I was sad and my hubby felt guilty.

We learned that planning ahead is so

important when it comes to an

occasion like Valentine's Day. Now

we like to pick up fresh ingredients

and cook a meal together. Our little

one can hang out in the highchair and

babble at us as we prep our dinner.

Plan a surprise. To make your baby

date night fun and spontaneous,

make sure you keep a few tricks up

your sleeve. Surprise your hubby by

wearing something sexy under your

sweatpants. Write him a touching

card, or set up a little scavenger hunt

filled with funny moments from your

relationship. Shock him with a gift

he's been coveting — you can even

get baby in on the act! Write a little

love letter for your hubby on your

tot's diaper and then make sure

daddy tackles the next change.

Plan some baby-free time. Once

junior goes to bed, it's the perfect

time to enjoy the meal you have

prepared. Light some candles and put

on romantic music. Just because you

are eating in your kitchen as opposed

to a fancy restaurant doesn't mean

you can't turn up the ambiance! If

you want to change things up from

your typical dinner setting, spread

out a blanket on the living room floor

and have a sexy, yummy picnic. My

husband and I love doing this. It's

relaxing and feels special. And of

course once your little one has gone

off to dreamland, it's the perfect time

to offer your man an indulgent

massage (as long as he returns the

favor). If it just so happens you have

to step away to nurse your baby,

chances are your hubby will wait!

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What’s on in Taupo Region…

Full details on all activities can be found at: www.greatlaketaupo.com/events/listings

WAITANGI TAUPO MOANA FESTIVAL

Sat 6 Feb, 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Tongariro North Domain

Free community festival to mark the 176th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi. The festival is a great opportunity for the Taupo District community and visitors from near and a far to gather to celebrate our national day and enjoy the free, family fun activities on offer including a live performance from Maisey Rika. The remaining line up is not to be missed either. Other activities include wood chopping, food stalls, bouncy castles, games, prizes and much more.

ANNUAL CAR BOOT SALE TAUPO PARENTS CENTRE

Sat 13 Feb, 8:00am - 12:00pm

Taupo Parents Centre

On Saturday 13th February Taupo Parents Centre are holding their annual car boot sale. Starts at 8am-12pm, $10 per carboot and free entry for buyers, Sausage sizzle and Sweets stall, AC Baths Ave Carpark. Sell anything from homewares and homemade crafts to unwanted chritsmas gifts. Leave a

message on 3784995 or email Taupo Parents Centre on

taupo@parentscenyre.org.nz to book your selling spot today

WAIRAKEI ESTATE IRONKIDZ

Sun 28 Feb, 8:30am - 12:00pm

Taupo Lakefront

Wairakei Estate Ironkidz is in its 15th year and offers a triathlon over varying distances to suit different age groups. The emphasis is on participating and having fun, although there is a timed elite section for more serious 11 to 15 year olds. Children can enter as individuals or in a team. There is also a fun Splash and Dash event for 5 to 7 year olds, consisting of a paddle in Lake Taupo and a short run along the lakefront.

EASTERFEST TAUPO

Wed 23 Mar, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Thu 24 Mar, 7:00am - 9:00pm

Fri 25 Mar, 7:00am - 9:00pm

Sat 26 Mar, 7:00am - 9:30pm

Sun 27 Mar, 6:15am - 8:00pm

Taupo Lakefront

Easterfest offers a combination of exciting events including a childrens' art exhibition, family fun day, twilight multimedia display, lake side dawn service, music gigs and a large gathering on Easter Sunday. Families looking for something to do over the Easter holiday break will have a new annual option that won't break the bank for ticket fees and other related entry/participation fees, because the majority of this festival is free to the community

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Day Walks—There are a number of

day walks around the area from 30

minutes to a full day. Walks and

hikes brochure available from the

Taupo or Turangi i-SITE Visitor

Centres

Honey Hive—Watch bees in their

glass viewing hives and sample a

myriad of honey products. Café on

site. Situated off SH1 north of Taupo

in the Wairakei Tourist Park

Horse Treks—Through pine forests

with views of Craters of the Moon

Lion Express Train—Children’s ride

on a small monorail. Runs from

10am public /school holidays.

Weekends during summer (weather

permitting)

Mountain Biking—There are a

number of tracks from easy to hard

rides in the area

Lake Taupo Museum and Art

Gallery—Visit the Pure Ora

Garden of Wellbeing,

exhibitions, children’s

corner, art and more

Orakei Korako—View

Geysers, silica terraces, hot

springs, mud pools and the

majestic Ruatapu Cave in

the Hidden Valley

Feeding the Ducks—At Taupo Boat

Harbour. See if you can spot some

trout. Enjoy the busy marina

Tongariro National Trout Centre—

View wild Taupo Trout through the

underwater window or feed trout in

the children’s pond. Lots of displays,

bush setting, BBQ and picnic

facilities.

Playgrounds, Parks, Reserves—

Plenty throughout Taupo and

Turangi

Parents Rooms at the Superloos.

Public Toilets at the Supoerloos,

Library & Suncourt Shopping Centre

Family Fun…

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Taupo Parents Centre February 2016 M

ON

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UE

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WE

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FRI

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1 Child

Birth

Education

2 Baby &

You

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Education

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Wai

tan

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Child

Birth

Education

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Baby &

You

(FR

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La

Leche Breastfeeding

Child

Birth

Education

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TPC

Com

mittee m

eetin

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Child

Birth

Education

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Moving

, Mu

nching

Toys &

Toning

Child

Birth

Education

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Rang

iaatea W

aaenan

ga

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Child

Birth

Education

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Baby &

You

(FR

EE)

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Moving

, Mu

nching

Toys &

Toning

Child

Birth

Education

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Child

Birth

Education

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by &

You

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Toys &

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Child

Birth

Education

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5 Ir

on

Man

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7 Child

Birth

Education

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Baby &

You

(FR

EE)

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Moving

, Mu

nching

Toys &

Toning

La Leche

Breastfe

eding

Child

Birth

Education

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TPC

Committee m

eetin

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Child

Birth

Education

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Baby &

You

(FR

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Child

Birth

Education

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Tinies to

Tots

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Child

Birth

Education

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Baby &

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(FR

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Child

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ter

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Child

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Tinies to

Tots

Taupo Parents Centre March 2016

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Members Discounts... The following retailers offer discounts to all Taupo Parents Centre members.

Please show your card prior to your purchase.

Sale goods, specials and special offers not included.

Coffee Plus

Horomatangi Street

15% Discount

Health 2000 Taupo

Horomatangi Street

10% excluding specials & some food

Hot Milk

www.hotmilklingerie.com

25% off online orders. Use code PCSPECIAL25 when you get to checkout.

Mitre 10 Mega Taupo

Up to 10% discount except on non-discountable and promotional items

Lake Engines & Auto Repairs Waikato Street

10% off all repairs & parts

My Music

Tongariro Street

10% discount

Organic Baby

www.organicbaby.co.nz

10% discount use Coupon Code TAUPO

Plateau Restaurant

Tuwharetoa Street

20% off food, $1 off drinks, $5 off bottles of wine

Pea Pods Reusable Nappies

http://www.peapods.co.nz/

10% off all reusable nappies, liners & nursing pads when ordering online. Enter code TAUPOPC at checkout to receive discount. Please note code cannot be used on sale stock

Polished

Suncourt Shopping Centre

10% discount

Soap Bubble

Tongariro Street

10% discount

STAK everyday stuff

Tamamutu Street

10% discount

Tank Taupo

Horomatangi St

10% discount

Taupo Toy Library

Phone: 378 1606

10% off Annual Membership

Village Squire Menswear

Heu Heu St

10% discount

Weepals

www.weepals.co.nz

10% off all products on our website. Please contact TPC for code.

35 35

MEMBERSHIP

Become a Parents Centre Member or renew your

membership!

A full year is $60 or $20 with your Community

Services Card.

Membership to Taupo Parents Centre gives you:

Annual subscription to KiwiParent Magazine issues,

worth $30), plus six issues of Fingerprints - our

centre's local parenting magazine; Members’ discounts

on shopping at local stores; Discounted rates for

parenting courses; Discounted Movement to Music

class; Free access to our library for books, dvds and

videos; Social events, activites and lots of fun outings;

Meeting new people and making new friends.

Come on what are you waiting for??

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Want to exercise the brain as well as chasing your toddler around the house whilst reading up on healthy

snacks!

Training is provided and support from the rest of Committee is fabulous. These positions are a

great way to develop new skills and stay in touch with adults during your nonpaid work period of your life. Please contact us if you are interested. Committee meetings are

monthly and there are a range of projects to get involved in from course development and fundraising as well.

Phone: 07 378 4995

36 Printed by Quality Print Taupo 07 377 0103

For Sale...

*Machine will vary

from one shown

For Hire... Bubble Machine for hire at $25 + $60 bond

2 Tables + 12 Chairs $30 + $60 bond OR

with Bubble Machine $45 + $100 bond

‘BUGALUGS’

reversible capsule

cover - $20.00

‘Safe T Sleep’

Sleepwrap

$95.00 – members

$105.00 – non-members

Wellchild Plunket

Book Covers $20.00

Wheat Bags

$20.00

Taupo Parents

Centre Recipe

Book $5.00

‘ZestBaby’ Amber

Teething Necklaces

$30.00

TAUPO PARENTS CENTRE PH 07 376 5583 or 0274 226 785 taupoparentscentre@xtra.co.nz

www.parentscentre.org.nz/taupo

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Support Groups ... Allergy New Zealand www.allergy.org.nz

Asthma www.asthma.org.nz

Birthright Taupo 377 0399

CAFE for Youth Health 378 3895

Crippled Children’s Society 377 2452

Child Youth & Family 0508 326 459

Citizens Advice Bureau 378 4253

Family Start 376 5961

Family Works 378 6480

Growing Through Grief 378 6059

Healthline (24 hours) 0800 611 116

Hear 4 Kidz Trust hear4kidztrust@gmail.com

Homebirth Support Group 0278137199

IHC Lakeland 378 1328

La Leche League Kristina 378 7967 Rosemary 378 8044 Dee Houia 376 1030 027 222 519

Maori Women’s Refuge 378 5204

Multiple Birth Club

0800 489 467 or 07 377 8123

National Poisons Centre 0800 POISON/ 0800 764 744

Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) 378 8109 ext 107

Parent to Parent 0800 22 1211

Plunket Taupo 378 6550

Plunket Line 0800 933 922

Pregnancy Help 377 6071

Relationship Services 378 2018

Special Education 378 9252

Strengthening Families 376 5359

Taupo Hospital 376 1000

Taupo Women’s Refuge 377 1055

Tuwharetoa Health 384 7576

Work and Income (WINZ) 0800 257 477

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President VACANCY

Vice President VACANCY

Treasurer Nicola Jarvis

Correspondence Secretary Nicola Jarvis

Minutes Secretary Neeltje DeGroot

Marketing Leah White

Past President Leah White 376 7964

Membership Officer Toni Mitchell

Database Coordinator Toni Mitchell

Resources Coordinator Rachel Helme

Fingerprints Editor Rain Ruan

Advertising VACANCY

Fingerprints / Kiwiparents Distribution Naomi Keane

Discount Stores VACANCY

Website Admin Simone Stevenson

Graphics/Posters Jess Watchorn

Librarian Alannah Goldsmith

Funding Officer Rebecca Attenborough

Music Coordinator VACANCY

Baby & You Liason Alana Delich

Baby & You Host Trani Duffy 376 9060

Moving & Munching Coordinator/Host Christine van den Engel

& Jess Watchorn

Tinies to Tots Coordinator/Host Traceylee Hooton

CBE Convener Charlotte Worthington 377 2517

Childbirth Educator/Carseat Coordinator Michelle Marshall 378 5958

Taupo Parents Centre Rooms taupo@parentscentre.org.nz

378 4995

Friends of the Committee Rachel Thompson, Michelle Thomas, Marie White, Kate Bowron, Katie McLean, Mi-

chelle Davies, Jane McAuley, Llakyn Hall, Jessica Devonport, Louise Chambers, Hayley Hathaway, Marindi Martin, Rain Ruan.

Committee Contacts...

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Local stockists of -

Cotton & Merino Babywear

Safe T Sleep

Kaloo Soft Toys

Muslin Wraps

Merino Kids Go-Go Bags & Swaddles

9 Marama Arcade, Taupo

p: 07 376 5660

e: shop@thelinenroom.co.nz

www.thelinenroom.co.nz

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